Max, an 11-year-old German Shepherd who has been abused for most of his life, is in need of a special home.

The Humane Society Silicon Valley has issued a plea to Los Altos residents to adopt a dog who has suffered a lifetime of abuse.

Meet Max, who came to the Humane Society after Sunnyvale officials investigated an animal-cruelty case. Max lived in a crate for 10 years in someone’s garage. A rubber band was imbedded so deeply in his neck, the skin grew over it in places. Open sores and infections dotted other parts of his neck.

“We treated his physical wounds with medicine, his spiritual wounds with love and daily care,” said spokeswoman Laura Fulda. “Just as we felt hope for his future, veterinarians diagnosed Max in the beginning stages of kidney failure.”

While kidney failure isn’t curable, no one has told Max.

“He has completely embraced each day with joy and abandon,” Fulda said. “Max loves being cared for by our vets, walked by our staff and soaks up the love of our volunteers. This guy is sweeter than sweet and has completely stolen our hearts.”

Fulda said Max is an 11-year-old Shepherd mix, “but acts like a 33-pound puppy.”

“We just can’t let this guy go without asking for a special home for him – one that will love him for the remainder of his days, regardless of how many that may be,” she said.

Can you be Max’s best friend? The Humane Society offers a list of his needs:

• Give him tons of love – every single day. Max wants desperately to be with people.

• Take him for walks – he didn’t get the luxury of a walk for 10 years.

• Be sure he has as much water as he wants, 24 hours a day.

• Provide a dog door – and teach Max to use it – so he can have easy access to the yard.

• Bring him to the Humane Society for blood work every six months to monitor his kidneys.

• Feed him a special prescription diet, which the Humane Society will provide for the remainder of his life.

• Allow him to bond with you – he’s a great dog that is very people focused and is ready to love someone.

“We know it’s a lot to ask of someone, but Max has so much life left in him, we just have to ask for help from our friends in Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and Mountain View for a place for him in the time he has left,” Fulda said.

Max would do best in a home as an only dog, Fulda said.

“He’s great with people but never developed social skills to be with other animals,” she said. “And he’d love to be spoiled. After being neglected for so long, he wants nothing more than to crawl in your lap.”

To offer Max a home or donate to his cause, call (408) 262-2133 or visit www.hssv.org.